A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Geneva vs. Barcelona for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Geneva or Barcelona?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Barcelona. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Geneva

Geneva is a diverse, international, and professional city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Geneva is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping. See Geneva travel costs.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a historic, cultural, and friendly city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Barcelona is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Barcelona travel costs.

Geneva and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Geneva or Barcelona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Barcelona than Geneva, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Barcelona is more touristy than Geneva and is known for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also home to Basilica Sagrada Familia. Geneva is popular for its role as a global hub for the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization.

How is Geneva different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Barcelona and Geneva. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Geneva or Barcelona?

Both Geneva and Barcelona have very good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Geneva. Famous sights and landmarks include the spectacular Water Jet, St Pierre Cathedral, and the Palais des Nations. There are also impressive art and history museums in the city.

Barcelona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

Is the Food Better in Geneva or Barcelona? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Geneva and Barcelona can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Geneva makes for a great culinary experience. The city has an amazing mix of traditional Swiss restaurants as well as diverse ethnic options. Traditional dishes include fondue and raclette, both of which involve the decadent Swiss cheese.

Barcelona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

Is Geneva or Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Barcelona is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.

If you're looking for night time activities Geneva has a few options to choose from. During the day the city is all business, but at night the professionals, interns, students, and NGO workers all come together to enjoy a drink at a bar or dance at one of the city's diverse clubs.

Is Geneva or Barcelona Better for Music?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Geneva is not a live music destination.

Barcelona is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Geneva is not a live music destination.

Is Geneva or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is a good destination for its beaches. However, Geneva is not a beach destination.

Barcelona offers a nice beach destination. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

Geneva is not a beach destination.

Is Geneva or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona is a great destination for its historic old town. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Barcelona. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Geneva. The Old Town offers a number of charming streets where you can wander as well as historical buildings including St. Pierre Cathedral.

Is the Shopping Better in Geneva or Barcelona?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Barcelona and Geneva.

Geneva is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Famous for its posh shops and luxury brands, this city is a popular shopping destination. From chic boutiques to deluxe toy stores, you'll find something for everyone. In particular, the city is known for its Swiss watches, Swiss Army knives, chocolate, and wine.

Known for shopping, Barcelona draws large crowds to its stores. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Is Geneva or Barcelona More Beautiful?

Barcelona is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

Barcelona is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The city offers many nice viewpoints that look down on the skyline from the surrounding hills. There are also nice parks and interesting architecture.

Geneva is a beautiful place to visit, too. Located on the edge of Lake Geneva and surrounded by the Alps, the city is both bustling and beautiful.

Is Geneva or Barcelona Better for Families?

Both Geneva and Barcelona are good family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Geneva. This diverse city has a number of chocolate shops, toy stores, and parks where kids can play. They'll be impressed by the Water Jet and there are few places where you can swim in the lake when the weather is warm.

Barcelona offers lots of family activities. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

Is Geneva or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Geneva and Barcelona both good destinations for a couple.

Geneva is a nice destination for couples. Wandering Old Town, sampling Swiss chocolate, and enjoying one of the many ethnic restaurants around town all make for great date activities. Fondue in a traditional restaurant is also a not to be missed experience.

Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Is Geneva or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Geneva is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Barcelona is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

Geneva is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The city is often overlooked by backpackers as it is pretty expensive. Many hotels cater to the business traveler crowd, but there are a few hostels to choose from.

Is Geneva or Barcelona Better for Students?

Barcelona is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Geneva is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Barcelona is a very popular place to visit for students. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

Geneva is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The University of Geneva attracts many international students and the city is quite diverse. It feels like a mixing bowl of cultures, so students will feel very welcomed and comfortable here.

Is Geneva or Barcelona Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Geneva is renowned for its public transit. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Geneva has a great public transit system. The very comprehensive system includes trams, buses, and boats.

The public transit in Barcelona can get you around easily. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

Is Geneva or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Geneva is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Geneva is very walkable. Most areas where visitors spend their time can be easily explored on foot.

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.

For even more information, also check out Is Geneva Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Geneva?

How long in Geneva or Barcelona?

Both Geneva and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than in Geneva. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Geneva, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

Families should spend more time in Barcelona than Geneva. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Barcelona, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Barcelona than Geneva. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Barcelona that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Geneva if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Barcelona.

One day in Geneva or Barcelona?

People visit Geneva because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Geneva has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Barcelona. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Geneva or Barcelona?

People visit Geneva because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Barcelona is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Geneva or Barcelona?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the professional city of Geneva. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the shopping. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Barcelona. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Geneva or Barcelona?

Geneva is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the historic big city of Barcelona. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Barcelona, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Barcelona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Barcelona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Barcelona and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva than you might in Barcelona.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Geneva Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Geneva or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva and Barcelona, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Geneva or Barcelona?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Geneva or Barcelona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Barcelona. Most visitors come to Geneva for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Geneva is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the summer. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Geneva or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Barcelona. The autumn months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

In the autumn, Geneva is cooler than Barcelona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Geneva in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Barcelona averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Geneva gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets less rain in October than Barcelona. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Geneva or Barcelona in the Winter?

Both Barcelona and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Geneva in the winter. In January, Geneva is generally much colder than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 4°C (39°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Geneva or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Geneva during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Geneva for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Barcelona in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Geneva is cooler than Barcelona in the spring. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Barcelona. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Geneva